say it isn’t so!

Brad called AQHA to find out what was taking so long with Harmony’s papers – and they told him they can’t register her….what?!!

He was told her registered Dam never had DNA done on her, so they are unable to verify Harmony was her foal. I know what you are thinking, get DNA done on the Dam – one slight problem she’s dead. They suggested doing postmortem DNA if we know where she is buried. I’m pretty sure I was told she died on the farm we bought Harmony from, and is buried there. We will have our daughter ask, but it’s not likely to be an option – not to mention it’s a bit extreme.
 

AQHA did some searching through their records, and apparently Kelkees Plain Jane (the Dam) didn’t have enough foals to gather enough samples from, to compare verification with Harmony’s. Can you believe it? I can’t. This just furthers my deep-rooted disappointment in the stables we bought Harmony from…we now own an expensive grade mare. Not that owning a grade mare is a bad thing, it’s just not what we were told/payed/planned for. As I've said before, the horse is loved the same with or without papers. It's just very dissapointing. Our daughter hoped to show Harmony on the QH circuit some day…this is where I edit my negative comments. Moral of this story – don’t believe every “we’ve got paper’s, they can be registered…yada-yada-yada” as a selling point, it might not be true. In this case, it isn’t.

pull what?

Harmony's registration appears to be going through...a process. Our check was cashed right away (there's a surprise) and then we waited, and waited, and wondered what was going on with her registration. When would we hear if it's a yeay or a neigh? We decided we should call AQHA, and then the letter arrived. But wait, that's not a letter - it's a DNA collection kit! We knew we would have to get Harmony's DNA at some point, but, um, I was expecting some sophistafunk container along with a scraper/puller/draw-er something or another. Nope. A piece of paper with instructions.

No surprise to Brad, he was well aware of what we needed to do and thought I would be the best one to pull her hair out - and with that I said "you want me to pull what? 50 hairs? Wrap my finger around several times and yank. No can do. I know it doesn't hurt them, but all the same we are trying to re-connect." I rode Harmony for a brief time several years ago when I was beginning to take lessons.....but that's another story. Needless to say Brad yanked, I mean collected, her hair (not in one clump) and I took pictures :) a job I'm much better suited for.

Harmony's mane has been show-trimmed for years and isn't that long, which made it slightly more manageable. It is growing out, and looking oh so pretty I might add. Not all collected hairs appear to have a "fibrous" end, some looked like a tiny spec of black by the time we got back home. The roots probably shriveled up, it's cold outside. Hope we got what we needed?!! If not, I'm sure they'll eventually send another "letter". On with the process and back to wondering, and waiting. Here are some photos of the sampling, and the letter - I mean DNA kit.

So many choices...this hair looks like a good one.

Looking for a good hair sample from "the other" end.

The DNA Kit, with roots properly placed.

horses can't read

As you may know, American Quarter Horse Association is offering reduced rates on registration for horses 3 years old and older. We bought Harmony, an unregistered Quarter Horse mare, a few years back and think she deserves to be registered. We feel it's in her best interest for multiple reasons. We didn't do it right away, once they are over three - it's a chunk of change...the AQHA offer is just the incentive we needed to get our girl registered. AQHA Offer

We are well aware of the fact that Harmony won't know the difference, after all she can't read her papers! She will be the same horse we love, with or without them. However it does add value to the horse and any potential off-spring, and more importantly preserves their lineage. I like the whole idea of knowing my horses background, and find it interesting. Does registration matter to you?

Along with the money and proper forms, we had to submit 5 photos (left side, right side, butt, head and 3/4 views) for markings. Here is my favorite shot of her, altho she looks a little annoyed with the whole thing and would much rather be eating hay with the boys.